Automotive spray gun bottle and adapter

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/964,312, filed on Jan. 22, 2020, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to a spray gun, more particularly to a bottle and an adapter system for use with a spray gun.

A mixing cup is used in the automotive industry in conjunction with a spray gun for painting an automobile. An adapting assembly is used to connect the mixing cup to the spray gun in order to feed liquid from the mixing cup to an inlet port of a spray gun, typically a gravity feed spray gun. The mixing cup is comprised of multiple components, and the process of assembling the mixing cup itself is tedious as it requires multiple steps to be completed prior to paining an automobile.

Thus, there is a need for an alternative to the mixing cup that can be used with a spray gun, for example, in the automotive industry.

The present invention relates to a bottle having a venting feature for use with a spray gun and an adapter for attachment to the bottle and to a spray gun or other spray device, such as a conventional or High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) spray gun. The term “spray gun” as used herein, generally refers to a spray gun or other spray device and/or to a universal fitting connected to the spray gun or other spray device.

An adapter is provided for use with the spray gun bottle. The adapter comprises a side configured for attachment to a spray gun.

In an embodiment of the invention, the adapter is a single-sided adapter. The term “single-sided”, as used herein, generally refers to the adapter having one side configured for attachment to a spray gun. In a single-sided adapter, the side that is not attached to the spray gun is used for attachment to the spray gun bottle.

In an embodiment of the invention, the adapter is a dual-sided adapter. The term “dual-sided”, as used herein, generally refers to the adapter having more than one side configured for attachment to a spray gun. In a dual-sided adapter, the side that is not attached to the spray gun is used for attachment to the spray gun bottle.

The term “friction fit”, as used herein, generally refers to a form of fastening between two tight fitting mating parts that produces a joint which is held together by friction after the parts are pushed together.

A spray gun bottle is provided comprising a mouth which opens into a body of the spray gun bottle for containing a liquid, wherein the body of the spray gun bottle comprises at least one vent.

A spray gun system is provided comprising a bottle having a mouth which opens into a body of the bottle for containing a liquid, wherein the mouth has a threaded opening and the body of the bottle comprises at least one vent, and an adapter configured for attachment to the threaded opening of the mouth of the bottle and configured for attachment to a spray gun.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The following description of the embodiments of the present invention is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The following description is provided herein solely by way of example for purposes of providing an enabling disclosure of the invention, but does not limit the scope or substance of the invention.

are perspective views of a spray gun bottle assemblycomprising a spray gun bottleattached to or connected to a single-sided spray gun adapterfor use with a spray gun assembly. Spray gun bottleis preferably a blow molded or extrusion blow molded plastic. Examples of plastics include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and extrudable PET (EPET) is an extrusion-grade version of the base resin PET having significantly higher intrinsic viscosity and melt strength than traditional PET. The plastic may be treated with fluorination to increase compatibility with volatile organic compounds.

The spray gun bottle contains a liquid or fluid. The liquid may be pre-dosed or pre-filled in the bottle. Examples of liquids are chemical formulations including, but not limited to, pre-coatings, adhesion promoters, coatings, solvents, paint, spray gun cleaners, other chemicals or chemical compositions, or a combination thereof. It can also contemplated and within the scope of the present invention that the bottle could contain a concentrate solution and attach to a gravity fed or venturi hose end device.

is a perspective view of single-sided spray gun adapterof. Single-sided spray gun adapterhas a central bore, a bottle attachment endhaving internal threadsfor threaded engagement with bottle, and a spray gun assembly attachment sidefor attachment to a spray gun assembly.

is a cross-sectional view of the single-sided spray gun adapterof.illustrates a pocketfor holding a filter that may be inserted in the pocket and an optional puncturable seal membrane. The adapter is dual-purpose serving two primary functions of acting as an interface with a spray gun and serving as a cap for the bottle prior to puncture of the seal membrane thereby keeping the bottle sealed during transportation and prior to use.

is a side view of single-sided spray gun adapterof. As shown in, spray gun attachment sidehas two helical ramps,and two “C” shaped clamping features,to securely fasten the adapter to the spray gun assembly. Once connected, the cylindrical featureprovides a fluid tight seal between adapterand a mating fitting of the spray gun assembly.

is a cross-sectional view of single-sided spray gun adapterof.shows the fluid path provided going into the spray gun between the two sides of the adapter.

is a perspective view of spray gun bottle assemblycomprising bottleand single-sided adapterin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Spray gun bottle assemblyallows the liquid to be connected to an already outfitted cup connection of a spray gun.

is a perspective view of a bottle connection sideof the single-sided adapterof. Bottle connection sidehas internal threadsfor threaded engagement with bottle. An opposing spray gun assembly connection sideis also shown.

is a cross-sectional view of single-sided adapterof.illustrates a pocketfor holding a filter that may be inserted in the pocket and an optional puncturable seal membrane. Puncturable seal membranemay be molded in single-sided adapter. Puncturable seal membranealso serves as a cap to hold in the liquid of the bottle prior to puncture. This eliminates the need for a primary shipping cap. Pocketallows a user to push in a commercially available off-the shelf spray gun filter into single-sided adapter. This allows for user convenience when the product is depleted as the entire package can be discarded.

is a perspective view of spray gun assembly connection sideof single-sided adapterof. Spray gun assembly connection sideas shown has three cylindrical lugs. Although three lugs are shown, if present, there may be any number of lugs. The configuration of spray gun assembly connection sidemay vary. As shown in, the three lugs engage with a mating fitting of the spray gun assembly and provide a fluid tight seal at a cylindrical featurebetween the bottle and the fitting when fully engaged. A central boregoes through the center of single-sided adapter.

is a cross-sectional view of single-sided adapterof.

Cross-sectional view shows the fluid path provided between thesides of the adapter.

is a perspective view of a spray gun bottle assemblycomprising a bottleand a dual-sided spray gun adapterin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Spray gun adapteris reversible.

is a cross-sectional view of dual-sided spray gun adapterof.illustrates central borethrough which fluid will flow. As shown in, spray gun adapterhas a first sidethat can be matingly received by a spray gun fitting having a first configuration and spray gun adapterhas an opposing second sidethat when flipped over can be matingly received by a spray gun fitting having a different configuration. In either position, spray gun adapterhas internal bottle threads,that allow connection to the bottle. For example, one side may adapt to a 3M PPS spray gun assembly fitting commercially available from 3M Products Company, and the other side may adapt to a D-Cup connector of DeVilbiss Automotive Refinishing.

is a perspective view of first sideof the dual-sided adapterofhaving central bore.is a perspective view of second sideof dual-sided adapterof.

illustrates the reversibility of dual-sided adapterof the present invention. The dual-sided adapter is flipped to desired attachment, screwed on a threaded bottle, and clicked onto the spray gun.

is a perspective view of a bottlehaving a mouthwhich opens into a bodyfor containing a liquid, the bottle having two vents,extending outwardly from bodyin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mouth may have a child resistant lock feature. The bottle, as shown, has vents,being open tubes with removable ends,with removable ends or tabs,facing in a direction away from the mouth of the bottle. One or more tabs,are removed for venting during operation of the spray gun. Although shown in this configuration, the number, shape, and location of vents may vary as well as the orientation of the vents. When bottleis assembled onto a spray gun, the bottle vent may be twisted, snapped, or clipped open to vent the bottle. Venting the system, allows for even and consistent dispensing of liquid. The bottle vent is easy to open prior to use and allows for continuous and even spraying of liquid.

is a partial cross-sectional view of spray gun bottleofattached to dual-sided adapterin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.shows bottlehas a shoulder or pocketfor holding an optional filter. The pocket allows for inclusion of optional filter. Examples of filters for use in the invention are those commercially available from SATA GmbH & Co., Iwata-Medea, Inc, 3M Products Company, DeVilbiss Automotive Refinishing, among others. Installing a filter prevents any solids or debris in the liquid from entering and clogging the spray gun.

is a full cross-sectional view of spray gun bottleofattached to adapterin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

is a perspective view of a spray gun assemblycomprised of a bottle assemblyand a spray gun assembly. Dual-sided spray gun adapterof bottle assemblyhas a first side being attached to spray gun bottleand an opposing second side being attached to a fittingof spray gun assembly.

is a side view of bottle assemblyattached to spray gun assemblyin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.shows how the system of the present invention interfaces/connects with spray gun assemblywhich may be a High Volume, Low Pressure (HVLP) spray gun. Bottle assemblyof the present invention connects to universal fittings for spray guns such as those available commercially from 3M Products Company and DeVilbiss Automotive Refinishing.

is a view of a spray gun bottle assemblycomprised of a bottle with single ventattached to a dual-sided adapterin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

is a view of spray gun bottle assemblyofattached to a spray gun assembly.

are several views of a spray gun bottle assemblywith a transparent spray gun bottlein an embodiment of the invention.

In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in, a bottlehaving a recessed indent(s)near the bottom of bottleis provided. Bottleas shown contains fluid with the fluid being indicated by the dashed lines as being at a full level. Instead of vents extending outwardly from body to provide the venting function, one or more recessed indent(s)are preferably present in the bottom half of the bottle. Indent(s)are pierceable such that a user can attach the bottle to a spray gun and pierce the indent(s). The bottle can be of any size but a bottle with 6 oz. is typically sufficient to coat a vehicle bumper, for example. The pierced bottle will then vent when the spray gun is in use Once the spraying is completed, a user can, for example, place the bottle back on a surface such as a table. Extra formula that is not used, such as below 2 oz., will remain in the bottle and not leak out. The bottle may be blow molded using PET plastic.

is a bottom view of the bottle ofshowing the location of the pierceable recessed indent(s) at point A.

is an illustration of the bottle ofattached to a first side of a single-sided adapter and an opposing side of the single-sided adapter attached to the spray gun.

is an illustration of the bottle with residual fluid left after spraying. The dashed lines indicate the residual fluid line below where the bottle is pierced at point A.

illustrates a bottleattached to a first side of a single-sided adapterand an opposing side of single-sided adapterhaving press in or friction fit attachment to a spray gun. Single-sided adaptershown serves two purposes as a cap for bottleand a connector to the spray gun.

illustrates a bottlehaving vents,pointing in an opposite direction then as shown inand having a child resistant lugbelow the threadson the mouth of bottle. In this vent orientation, it is preferred that the tubular vents protrude from the body of the bottle below the halfway point of the bottle.

illustrates single-sided adapterhaving the first side as a cap with a puncturable membranefor attachment to the bottle and the opposing side of the single-sided adapter suitable for a friction fit with the spray gun in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

illustrates a single-sided adapterhaving the first side as a cap with a tear off membranefor attachment to the bottle and the opposing side of the single-sided adapter suitable for a friction fit with the spray gun in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

illustrates a single-sided adapter suitable for a friction fit with the spray gun on a bottlehaving a protrusionthat is pierceable at point B and serves as a vent once pierced. Preferably, the pierceable protrusion is located in a bottom half of the bottle.

illustrates a single-sided adaptersuitable for a friction fit with the spray gun on a bottlehaving a single vent tubein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

illustrates a spray gunattached to the single-sided adapterand bottleof.

illustrates a spray gun bottlehaving a vent(s)within the inner circumference of the body of the spray gun bottle as opposed be being attached to outer circumference of the body of the spray gun bottle.

illustrates a bottom view of spray gun bottleof.